title: Metabolic syndrome in healthcare personnel of the university of Antioquia-Colombia; LATINMETS study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension (HTN), atherogenic dyslipidemia, an increased glycemia in a fasting state, and abdominal obesity (AO), constitute a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease named metabolic syndrome (MS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the prevalence and distribution of MS and its components in healthcare personnel from the University of Antioquia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study conducted between 2010 and 2011. The collected data included anthropometrical, biochemical, socio-demographic, and lifestyle variables. The MS was diagnosed using the harmonized IDF/AHA definition. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed, including χ2 tests, and a = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  285 volunteers (29.1% men) with ages between 20 and 61 years were included. 31.6% of participants were overweight with a Body Mass Index higher than 25 kg/m2 (BMI). AO (29.8%) and HTN (29.8%) were the most frequent components of MS. Global prevalence of MS was 17.5% (95%CI: 13.1; 22). There was a lower presence of MS among women (OR 0.328; 95%CI: 0.175; 0.614; p < 0.05), and a positive gradient with age and income. Likewise, the prevalence of MS was higher among smokers and those who are overweight (p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, MS was associated with sex (OR 0.348; 95%CI: 0.178; 0.680) and being overweight (OR 14.592; 95%CI: 6.343; 33.570).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most frequently observed components of MS in the studied sample were AO and HTN. BMI, sex, and socio-economic status are important independent risk factors associated with MS.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Antioquia, Colombia. laurag@pijaos.udea.edu.co
authors.forename: Laura I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: González-Zapata
authors.forename: Gloria Cecilia
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Deossa
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monsalve-Álvarez
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Díaz-García
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Babio
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salas-Salvadó
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult